Category: Nutrition

We all have experienced pain in our bodies at some point. Pain usually appears when there is inflammation. Inflammation is an important part of the body’s immune response. It is the way our bodies heal itself. Without inflammation, infections would never heal. Inflammation becomes a problem when it is chronic.

Imagine the inflammation as our body’s personal army to protect against invaders or injury. Their job is to fight the battle (against infections and germs) and come back to base. When the soldiers lose the signal on when to stop fighting, it leads to chronic inflammation. Chronic Inflammation is when the body stays in the inflamed state even after the “threat” is gone”. Most common cause of chronic inflammation is the food we eat and environmental toxins we are exposed to. Our body’s immune system doesn’t recognize this “stuff,” so it tries to get rid of it by fighting it.

Recent research from well-known sources such as the Harvard School of Public Health has found that many illnesses are directly related to inflammation in the body including heart disease and stroke, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and stomach or intestinal problems. When there is inflammation, there is a pain. Did you know Anti-inflammatory medicines are most widely taken medicine in the US?

If you believe that you are suffering from chronic inflammation – here are three easy steps you can take to reduce pain and inflammation:

1. Practice “Clean” eating: Try adding more natural, raw food in your diet. Buy organic whenever possible. The best way to reduce inflammation is to just eat real foods. They are foods that bypass tinkering by a food chemist and are eaten very close to the way they grew on the farm. Slowly eliminate/reduce processed and packaged foods from your diet. A fiber-rich diet helps reduce inflammation by supplying naturally occurring anti-inflammatory phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables.

2. Follow the 4-S diet: The easiest way to remember the key anti-inflammatory foods that will help keep you young and active is the Four S’s. Salads, Smoothies Spices, and Seafood.

Salads and Smoothies are natural anti-inflammatories because they are from plants. The antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables gives them their rich color and make them anti-inflammatory. Antioxidants are natural medicines. The National Cancer Society says we should eat 9 – 13 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Spices contain high levels of antioxidants and immune boosting nutrients. Ginger and Turmeric which are heavily used in Indian cooking are one of the best spices to reduce pain and inflammation. Ginger inhibits production of the free radical that causes inflammation and pain. Turmeric’s benefits are largely because of curcumin, a potent antioxidant that dramatically reduces inflammation. The bioavailability of curcumin is highly improved if taken with black pepper so make sure to spice up your food with turmeric, ginger and black pepper.

Seafood, especially cold water fish, contains omega 3 oils which are the most helpful anti-inflammatory nutrients you can eat. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis — conditions that often are triggered by chronic inflammation. If you cannot eat fish for any reason, consider taking a good quality fish oil supplement to get the benefits of Omega-3.

3. Exercise: What type of exercise should you do? The BEST exercise is the one you will do! You do it because you enjoy it!

There are lots of fun ways to move.  You can take up a new sport such as ballroom dancing or hiking or just do walking, yoga, running..whatever you enjoy doing!! Besides movement being good for your muscles, it’s good for your mind.  New movements actually build new cerebral pathways.

Make sure you incorporate these three components into your exercise routine:

Strength training:  At one time it was believed that losing muscle was a natural part of aging, but studies now show that older people can maintain muscle with the same amount of strength training as younger folks.

Endurance. Endurance exercises increase your breathing and heart rate and include exercises like walking, swimming, and dancing.

Flexibility: Flexibility exercises like stretching, yoga, and Pilates, loosen and lengthen our muscles.  As we age, muscles not only become weaker, they become tighter and shorter.  Orthopedists have found that people who have increased flexibility are less likely to suffer from arthritis and joint problems.  

By following these simple guidelines and slowly making lifestyle changes, you can definitely reduce chronic inflammation and lead a healthy, pain-free life.

“Should I stop eating carbs if I want to lose weight” or “I am on a low-fat diet but still not losing weight. Why?” or “Is dairy bad for me”. These questions come up almost every day in my conversations with people.

Our “food wisdom” is often swayed by the food marketing industry. Last decade they made fat the “villain”   and I see that happening to our good ol’ friend “carbs” now.

All macronutrients – Fats, Carbohydrates, and Proteins are required for a healthy body.  It’s the form in which we eat them make them good or bad for us.

Adults and “active” children need approximately “50%” of their daily calories from carbohydrates. Carbohydrates or carbs can be “simple” or “complex” based on their chemical makeup and what your body does with them. Simple carbs are quick-burning fuels. They very quickly break down into sugar in your system. You want to avoid these. They can be found in cakes, processed foods, soft drinks, candies etc..Complex carbs take more time to break down, which allows for a slower, more gradual release of energy. Whole grains, beans, legumes, and starchy vegetables are all examples of complex carbs. Complex carbs have fiber and vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients so go ahead and enjoy your “roti”, rajma-rice, potatoes or any of your favorite complex carbs without guilt.

Similarly, there are good and bad fats. Fats from coconut oil, ghee, grass fed butter, and fish are all good for us. Chemically created fats that are made in a lab, like partially hydrogenated oils and trans fats, are what causes harm to our body. Avoid all foods that contain trans fat. These fats are found in most of the packaged and fast foods.

So how do you lose weight then?

The answer is not that simple. A human body is very complex and many factors contribute to its functioning like nutrition, environment, lifestyle, even our thoughts as our mind and body are closely inter-linked.  The first step is to understand the underlying cause of weight gain – is it stress, is it junk food or eating outside or is it because of your erratic lifestyle and eat/sleep patterns. Once you understand the root cause, it will be easier to plan your weight loss. Most people go on “strict” diets by eliminating various food groups without understanding the root cause but If the cause is not addressed, the weight will come back – pretty soon.

Here are the four pillars for a healthy lean body: L.E.A.N.

Lifestyle – how you live? Do you have a disciplined lifestyle? How well do you sleep at night? Do you eat/sleep in a “fixed” window every day? All of these factors control how your body functions. Also, there are so many toxins in everyday products that have impacted our health in a negative way. From household cleaners to cosmetics – everything is full of harmful chemicals that we expose our body every single day (a topic for another time) . Try to simplify your life by having a routine and using natural products whenever possible.

Exercise – how do you move? People always ask what is the best exercise to lose weight and the answer is whatever exercise you love to do. For some people, it could be walking/running, for others yoga or dancing. Whatever you enjoy doing is what is good for your body. Also, sitting all day and then going to gym for one hour is not a good idea. Stay active by walking, taking stairs or just standing instead of sitting whole day. Also, don’t “over-exercise” to lose weight faster. Too much exercise could put stress on the body and will be counter-productive in your effort to lose weight.

Attitude – how do you think?  A lot of studies have shown a strong correlation of stress to weight gain, especially around your mid-section (tummy) area. No amount of diet or exercise will work if you are constantly stressed out. Try deep breathing, mindfulness or meditation to manage stress and the weight issue will automatically be taken care of.

Nutrition – how do you eat? First of all, you don’t need to eat less to lose weight – you have to eat right. Add more raw fruits and veggies to your diet: Most of the food we eat is either cooked or processed, which are depleted of most nutrients. Try to add more unprocessed, uncooked raw food in your diet. Start your day with a bowl of fresh fruit and have a salad with your lunch and dinner. If you need to eliminate something, eliminate junk, processed food. Eat all food groups because they are full of nutrients that your body needs. Fat or carbs do not make you fat; eating junk food that is full of toxins makes you fat.

These are some simple guidelines that clarify some myths about food/diet and how to start thinking about weight loss. Start off by introspecting and making small positive lifestyle changes based on your root cause. Follow LEAN to get lean!

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or need additional help to meet your goals.

 

The first two blogs in this series focused on detoxification of mouth and skin – two most important gateways of our bodies. Today I am going to show you how we can make the water we drink act like a natural detoxifier for our bodies.

Detox Series 1 -Ancient practice to detoxify your body through Oil Pulling

Detox Series 2 – Dry brushing for skin detoxification

Did you know our bodies are naturally tuned to detoxify itself from all the unwanted chemicals and toxins we are exposed to on a regular basis? Our job is to support the detoxification process by either eliminating/reducing the toxin exposure or providing the body right tools to make the process easier.

One of the natural ways to flush toxins is through the water we drink. We all have heard it million times, drink more water. Water allows your kidneys to filter toxins and transport nutrients. If you don’t drink enough water then the toxins will start building up in your body leading to a weakened immune system.

Today, I am going to share different types of detox water you can drink depending on the condition you are targeting for.

1. Full Body Cleansing with HONEY-LEMON-WATER: If you are low in energy when you wake up in the morning and feel tired throughout the day – you need a full body cleanse. Having warm water with honey and lemon first thing in the morning stimulates the liver to flush out the toxins from the body. The combination of lemon and honey in water is a rich source of antioxidants, help boost energy. As an added benefit, it helps burn fat which can lead to weight loss.

         How to make it:

• Boil a cup of water and allow it to cool until it is just warm to touch.
• Add a teaspoonful of raw, unfiltered honey and stir well to dissolve.
• Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the honey water, give it a stir and drink up.

2. Stomach cleanse with this SPICE WATER: If you suffer from frequent bouts of acidity and headaches, sipping this water in the morning and throughout the day help reduce bloating, constipation, indigestion, and acidity. Stomach disorders could lead to an incomplete elimination of bodily waste and the toxins are reabsorbed by the body. Having this water 30 minutes before and 10 minutes after your meals will help cleanse your digestive tract and eliminate toxins.

         How to make it:

• Boil a cup of water
• In a cup, add ½ tsp of each : fenugreek seeds (methi dana), fennel seeds (saunf), bishop seeds (ajwain), cumin seeds (jeera)
•  Pour the boiling water into the cup with the seeds mixture
•  Cover and let it steep for a couple of hours
• Take the water from this cup and drink
• You can refill the water 2 more times before discarding the seeds 

3. Respiratory support with STAR WATER: If you are often down with viral and flu infections quite often, it might be a good idea to cleanse your lungs with this antiviral/antifungal/antibacterial water. Star anise, the primary ingredient of this detox water, contains shikimic acid, which is used in the production of anti-influenza drugs. Another ingredient in this water is black cardamom, which is used to prevent and relieve cold and flu symptoms. Regular intake of black cardamom and star anise water will boost your immunity and protect you from respiratory infections. You can make this water and sip it throughout the day when during flu season to protect and prevent the upper respiratory illness.

     How to make it:

• Boil 2 cups of water
• Add 1 black cardamoms and let it boil for few minutes till water is reduced to half
• Add ½ tsp of cinnamon powder
• Take 2 star-anise in a cup
• Pour the boiling water and the black cardamoms in the cup
• Cover and let it steep for 15 minutes
• Drink warm, add honey (optional)

4. Stress management with TULSI WATER: Tulsi (Holy Basil), the sacred Indian plant is given that status for a reason. It is one of nature’s most powerful medicines. Tulsi not only helps protect the body from the degenerative effects of stress, but it also repairs the body from its damage. It is a powerful detox herb that helps reduce inflammation, lowers cholesterol, eliminates toxins and improves digestion. Tulsi is also a natural aphrodisiac, improves stamina and reduces anxiety.

     How to make it:

• Boil a cup of water
• Add ½ tsp of Tulsi leaves
• Cover and let it steep for 15 minutes
• Strain and drink

5. Reduce inflammation with TURMERIC-GINGER WATER: Inflammation is body’s defense mechanism against external “attackers” but when the internal emergency alarm fails to shut off when it should, the inflammation becomes chronic. Chronic inflammation destroys the healthy tissues and creates pain in the body. It is a result of imbalanced and weak immune system. If you are experiencing unexplained pain in your body, most likely you are dealing with chronic inflammation. Both turmeric and ginger are excellent anti-inflammatory foods so this water can cleanse the body and reduce the inflammation.

       How to make it:

• Boil 1 cup of water
• Add 1 tsp of grated turmeric and ginger each, and then bring the heat down to a simmer
• Add ½ tsp of black pepper
• Allow the mixture to steep for 10-15 minutes.
• Strain and enjoy with your meals

There is another level of water detox that requires you to drink only water for 24 hours – no food and no other drink. Have you tried water fasting? How was your experience?

I hope you can benefit from these different types of detox water. Please share it with your friends and family who may also benefit from these water detox recipes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you ever wondered:

• Why some people eat a high-fat diet and not gain a single pound or develop any health issues while it is completely opposite for others?
• Why two people living under one roof, eating the exact same foods have different nutrition-related health issues?
• Why your weight loss attempts do not give optimum results but others have achieved success in the same program?

The answer to this mystery is here now – it is proven and it is real!! NUTRIGENOMICS.

Nutrigenomics is the study of the effects of foods on our genes and understanding food-gene interactions. Simply, It is the study of the impact of nutrients from food on your body, based on your genetic composition.

Let’s take an example – when I drink caffeine, my blood pressure goes up but some people find tea to have a calming effect on their bodies.  Now the research has proven that caffeine can either be your friend or foe depending on your genetic composition. There is a gene, called CYP1A2 which directs your liver to make one of two enzymes: CYP1A2 fast or CYP1A2 slow.  If you have the gene that makes the fast version of CYP1A2, your body processes the caffeine from your bloodstream very quickly and has a positive impact on your heart health. However, if you have the gene that makes the slow version of CYP1A2, your body processes the caffeine from your bloodstream very slowly leading to an increased risk of heart disease.

I can be sure to have the slow version of CYP1A2.

Interesting!! Isn’t it?

Our genes respond differently to certain nutrients and have different effects on our bodies.

According to the UC Davis NCHMD Center of Excellence for Nutritional Genomics [1], there are five tenets of nutrigenomics, which can be summarized as:

1. Diet can be a serious risk factor for a number of diseases.
2. Common dietary chemicals can act on the human genome to alter gene activity or gene structure.
3. The degree to which diet influences the balance between healthy or diseased states may depend on an individual’s genetic makeup.
4. Some diet-regulated genes (and their normal, common variants) are likely to play a role in the onset, severity and progression of chronic diseases.
5. Dietary intervention based on knowledge of nutritional requirement, nutritional status and a person’s genotype can prevent, mitigate or even cure chronic disease.

The application of Nutrigenomics seems very powerful. It may lead to personalized nutrition for disease prevention and treatment, or it may help to understand the nature of the disease and individual response to nutrients.

There are few companies like Fitgenetix that provide a simple, in-home DNA test to create a personalized exercise and nutritional plan based on your genome. They also provide fresh meals designed for your DNA delivered directly to you.

Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about Nutrigenomics and how it can help you in losing weight, customized exercising, preventing disease or to get into better health overall.